Why Delhi and Mumbai need ban on crackers

I’ll not keep this too lengthy. First off, it is not about religion. It is about the level of suspended particles in the atmosphere of the city. Secondly, Delhi has an average particle radius of 2.5 micrometers and it can be harmful, way harmful than the fact that firecrackers are banned.

Picture tweeted by Ashutosh Sapru from Mayur Vihar at 9.15 AM on October 31, 2016.

Though the smog rose up through the day after Diwali last year, people complained that they still smelt fireworks. Delhi suffered a terrible state of Air Quality Index (AQI) last Diwali (30 October 2016) due to high amount of lead pollutants and meteorological factors such as stagnating wind movement as well as low temperature in the air.

The dispersion of these particles would be nearly impossible at day time. It is also quoted in NDTV that people were complaining about irritation in eyes and mild cough.

Picture Courtesy: AFP (Agence France-Presse)

According to Hindustan Times (One of India’s highest circulated newspapers) analysis, “At 7:23am, Delhi’s air quality index showed a reading of a severe 447. Air pollution level is classified as severe if it is between 401 and 500. At Mandir Marg in south Delhi, the index read 492 and it was again 500 at Shadipur in west Delhi.”

Hindustan Times has also quoted that there would be a ‘red alert’ situation in China if air quality plunges to this level. If the alarming pollution levels continue for three consecutive days, China facilitates measures to shut down the city, including power plants and vehicle movement.

Why we need protection against particulates

An hour after crackers were set off and particulate matter rise

A paragraph excerpt from Wikipedia mentioned that particulates are the deadliest form of air pollution due to their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and blood streams unfiltered, causing permanent DNA mutations, heart attacks and even a rise in lung cancer patients.

Ban or regulate?

Considering the fact that pollution level hits the fan, banning crackers sounds legit. Keeping in mind that the children of today wouldn’t know what it is like to burst tiny bombs using an incense stick, a certain amount of regulated consumption should be okay. That’s what the Court ordered Punjab to do.

My cousin back in 2011, never touched firecrackers after that year

Coming back to the point, firecrackers must be regulated in every city if not villages. In Delhi and Mumbai atleast, the High Court does not want to take a risk with higher pollution level this year.

Having said so, I would like to mention that Mumbai and Bangalore has alarming AQI at two places and one, respectively. The smaller tier cities can afford to have a breather as their AQI has not hit the roof yet.

The freakiest and highly polluting 'Snake Tablet'

Classifying firecrackers based on the amount of pollution it creates, is the need of the hour. The highly polluting ones should be put out of production and make available the ones that emit less smoke and thereby leaving lesser footprints.

Economic impact following ban

The Apex Court order has hammered firecracker manufacturers to the wall leaving them dazed about the situation that they are in. The total loss incurred in Rupees is estimated to be 1,000 crores and they can not afford to lose so much.

The Supreme Court order on the ban has taken the cities by storm as the industry was not given prior intimation. Only if the order had been given atleast a month in advance, several of Indian resources (packaging, printing, paper, elements that make a firecracker and of course human) could have been put to better use.

Are we inching towards better air quality?

Perhaps yes, But this is just the beginning. The day we use our fossil fuels judiciously, we can achieve progress towards a cleaner, greener atmosphere.

Sure enough, we have to await the results of this year’s AQI tests to turn a new leaf.

If you love your country, don’t put it up in smoke. No one in any country would like to wake up to an environment that looks like nuclear winter.